How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your car seat? "If you're in need of an automobile seat that can adapt to your child's needs think about an all-in-one seat like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat can be transformed to a high-back booster or an unbackless booster. It has a big rear-facing weight limit.

The soft cushioning that is machine washable is an added benefit. Other useful features include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base of the car seat that reduce the movement of the car seat in a crash.

Safety

They are designed to fit smaller babies better, so they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to lift out of the car or put onto a stroller frame than convertible car seats, which is crucial because you'll probably be required to transport your baby in the seat frequently outside of your vehicle. The infant car seat is designed to last for your child through the first year. This means you won't have to worry about your child exceeding its weight or height limits.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are rigorous but it's an excellent idea to conduct your own research before purchasing. Take a look at reviews written by other parents, and also looking through car seat safety guidelines from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test data that can be shared with families.

You will also want to look into whether a seat has features that could be particularly helpful for your family, such as a one-handed strap release and a harness with no rethread or a spring-loaded leveling foot. These features can help you buckle up your child, but remember that even the safest seats will not be useful if they are not used in a proper manner.

The weight and the width of the car seat are equally important. Many infant seats are designed to fit alongside older car seats in the back of your car Some can grow with your child and then transition to an adult seat at the same time. Also, if you plan to use your car seat for travel or to take taxis, an infant car seat that is installed with only the seat belt of your vehicle is a good infant car seats option.

In general, it's a good idea to purchase the most secure seat you can afford, because the cheapest models typically don't meet the most rigorous crash safety standards. Avoid models that do not have side impact crash tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seats infant car seat for you is the one that will fit in the vehicle of your family, is easy to install and use, and has useful features like the built-in stroller or rotating capability. It should also be affordable. The price of infant seats is between $180 and $500. They can cost more when they are convertible and are used as an infant and toddler seat.

The convenience features include whether the seat can be fitted using the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Also it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without removing the infant from the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be simple, especially when your child rides in Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should also be lightweight and clearly labeled for installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can easily get the car seat correctly installed.

You should also be able to turn the seat around and lock it when you're not using it, and have easy access to buckles as well as harness straps. It's also important to know the height and weight limits of the infant car seat prior to you buy it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it before its first birthday. A good rule of thumb is to choose a seat that will grow with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.

Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards to include other features, such as crash testing as well as comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Liing is a top rated baby car seats (Www.dermandar.com) choice from our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of a highly rated infant seat that provides more than just crash protection. It also comes with legs that help stabilize the seat in a crash, reducing forces on the child by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth spending more on a car seat with added convenience features and safety.

Comfort

One of the most important aspects to consider when selecting an infant car seat that swivels car seat is the comfort, as babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats have the thick, breathable fabric as well as ample padding on the headrest and harness. They also have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't require the rethreading.

The weight and size of the infant car seat will also affect comfort particularly if it's being used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are more narrow than others, making them easier to fit into the back seat alongside another car seat or siblings' seats. Although all models have weight and height limitations certain models are lighter. This can save you from having sore biceps when you move it around town or between cars.

Certain infant car seats come with additional features that make them more versatile. For instance they can be rotated or be clicked into a stroller with no need for adapters. Some models come with top features such as an adjustable no-rethread harness or anti-rebound bars for additional safety in the event of the possibility of a crash. These features aren't essential for safe riding, but they can enhance the overall experience.

In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents also want a clean, comfortable car seat for their baby. Choose a seat that is machine washable and stain-resistant and also easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking fresh.

Some models go beyond to ensure that their customers' experience is safe and comfortable, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which comes with an anti-rebound bars and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. It also has a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby comfortable and quiet and also an indicator that lets you know when it's properly attached to the base. The seat's adjustable carry handle, harness tightener, and indicator will let you know whether it's securely attached to the base.

Design

Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and ease of use in mind, but the myriad of features available can make it hard to determine what's best for your family. Consider factors like the weight and height limit and the number of belt routes and buckles. Additional features like an anti-rebound bar, load legs and no-rethread straps could increase the cost of the seat, but will increase comfort for your baby. Consider features that make it simple to get your child in and out of the car seat, for example rotating mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and weight of the seat, because not every seat will fit in all vehicles.

One of the most important aspects is the ease of installation and disconnecting from the base. This is influenced by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're rigid or flexible. It is also important to determine whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten, and whether there's a single hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat.

Certain models allow you to use the seat without a footrest, which is a great option for those who plan to change cars or take taxis often. Look for models that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to help ensure that your seat is set properly.

Other features that may be worth paying extra for include a headrest that grows with the baby as well as a recline that can be adjusted to five positions and an extendable canopy that locks in the position. Our product testers also said that having a seat which can be used as a highback booster using belt positioning or a backless booster after the baby has completed using it is a nice bonus.

The Doona is an infant car seat that spoils parents. It's packed with features that address nearly every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is the reason our test participants gave it top marks across every category. It's approved for travel on air and comes with an anti-rebound handle, and is able to be converted directly into a stroller. The crash test results are excellent and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.